Electric range heating element supporting structure



P 1952 E. A. RUTENBER ETAL 2,610,281

ELECTRIC RANGE HEATING ELEMENT SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Filed May 27, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET l am'ma M P 9, 1952 E. A. RUTENBER EI'AL ELECTRIC RANGE HEATING ELEMENT SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Filed May 27/1949 g smzrs-sxma'r 2 Patented Sept. 9, 1952 ELECTRIC RANGE HEATING ELEMENT SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Edwin A. Rutenber, Baldwin Lake, and Harley Tillapaugh, Greenville, Mich., assignors to Gibson Refrigerator Company, Greenville, Mich., a

corporation of Michigan Application May 27, 1949, Serial No. 95,856

2 Claims. (Cl. 219-37) This invention relates to an electric range heating element supporting structure. The invention is particularly usefulin connection with a reflector pan formed integrally with the range top and providing a sleeve for rotatably supporting the post or sheath of the heating or cooking element.

An object of the invention is to provide a structure in which the reflector pan of the range top provides a sleeve for rotatably supporting the heating or cooking element. Another object is to facilitate assembly line production of ranges by providing a mounting for an electric cooker element which may be assembled with the element and its appended wires by insertion from above into an aperture in the range top, the mounting being irictionally held in said aperture. A further object is to provide a structure in which a reflector pan is formed integrally with the range top and which provides an attachable sleeve for supporting the heating element in its position above the reflector pan and in a tilted position away from the reflector pan while the pan is being cleaned.

Another object is to provide a mounting structure for the burner which can be assembled to the recessed portion of the range by push-in engagement from the upper side of the range top. Still another object is to provide a sleeve mounting for a burner, the complete bearing for which is imposed upon the integrally recessed portion of an electric range top.

A still further object is to provide novel means whereby a post forming a rigid extension of the heating element is extended through an opening in the reflector pan and assembled with a sleeve which is attached to the pan about said opening. Still another object is to provide a range top having an integral reflector pan with depressed portions formed therein and receiving the flanges of a supporting sleeve for receiving the rigid post of a heating element, the inner surfaces of said flanges lying flush with the inner face of said reflector pan.

Another object is to provide an improved range top, reflector pan and heating element support, in which the heating element and reflector pan parts are rotatably supported with respect to each other while utilizing a minimum of structure and parts which enable a rapid assembly to be accomplished. A still further object is to provide a reflector pan and heating element structure in which a rigid portion of the heating element is passed through a sleeve carried by the reflector pan, the element being urged inwardly by spring pressure but being extensible against the force of said spring, and thus providing a virtual universal joint bearing which permits slight vertical burner adjustment laterally of the bearing and above the recess. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is shown in illustrated embodiments by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a broken top plan view of a reflector pan and heating or cooking element embodying our invention; Fig. 2, a sectional detailed View, the section being taken, as indicated, at line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a perspective view of the sleeve which is attached to the reflector pan; Fig. 4, a broken top plan viewof a modified form of reflector pan and heating element supporting structure embodying our invention; Fig. 5, a sectional detailed View, the section being taken, as indicated, at line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6, a sectional detailed view, the section being taken, as indicated, at line 6-45 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7, a perspective view of the sleeve parts and clamping ring, such parts being shown in spaced-apart relation; Fig. 8, a fragmentary plan view of a part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 9, a diagrammatic showing of the manner in which our invention permits the wiring connections of an electric range to be made at the rear portion thereof, rather than under the range top.

In the illustration given in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, l8 designates the top of an electric range and II designates a reflector pan integrally formed with the top If]. It will be understood that the top If) may be provided with a number of reflector pans, and the single reflector pan is set out merely as an illustration. The range top and the reflector pan or pans may be formed of steel or other suitable material and may be covered with enamel, if desired. Special rust-resisting metals, such as stainless steel, Monel steel, etc. may be employed.

The reflector pan H is provided on one side with an opening [2 adapted to receive a rigid post I3'forming an extension of the heating element [4. The heating element l4 may be of any suitable construction. In the specific illustration given, the heating element [4 is in the form of a coil formed of a rigid sheath enclosing electric resistance elements to which current is supplied by the electric wires l5. Resistance elements are carried within the sheath, and the sheath provides a rigid supporting structure for the resistance elements. The top of the coil portion of the sheath is preferably flat, as indicated at l6. Since the sheath type heating element described is of well-known construction, a detailed description herein is believed unnecessary. We prefer to extend the sheath of the heating element M to provide the downwardly extending post I3, the sheath being thus integral with the element [.4' and being preferably circular in cross section.

Any suitable support within the reflector pan,

for carrying the heating element [4 in the horizontal position illustrated may be employed. In the illustration given, however, we provide a wire support I! formed of three wire legs having abutting downwardly-turned central post portions I8 united by welding or other suitable means. The bottoms of the posts I8 rest against the bottom of the reflector pan ll while the outer ends of the horizontal portions of the support I! bear against the upper surfaces of the reflector pan II. This wire support or spider [1 supports most of the weight of element [4 and offcooking utensils'resting thereon. It is disclosed in the pending U. S.'patent application,

Serial No. 83,481, of Charles J. Gibson.

'We now wish to describe the sleeve structure by which the post [3 of the heating element 14 is rotatably carried upon the reflector pan II. In the illustration given, we provide a tube l9 having annular flanges 20 adapted to rest against the inner surface of thepan I'l. As shown best in-Figs. 3 and 8, the flange 20 is curved in an arcuate shape conforming to the surface of pan II. If desired, the pan Il may be recessed to "receive the flanges 20. Also, the flanges 20 may befofslightly flexible or resilient material or may have slightly flexible connection with the tube IQ for the purpose of permitting small varia-.

tions in the lateral position of the tube l9 so as to eliminate stresses upon'the burner in operation. The sleeve or tube I9 is preferably indented at2l to provide a bearing for receiving the post l3 and also for providing an abutment for the upper "end of the spring 22. The lower end of spring 22 is'supported by a ring 23 secured to and received within a recess of the post [3.

The ring 23'and the post l3 are held within the 'sIeeve' 'IS by the inwardly-turned fingers 24. In order to lock the sleeve [9 firmly within the reeessopenm l2 of the reflector pan II, we provide'th'e sleeve 7 i9 with an outwardly-turned spring band 25, as'shown more clearly in Figs.

2-;and-3; When the 'sleeye I9 is forced downwardlythrough the opening l2, the resilient band 25 yields and then springs back into position to form the catch or lock, which is shown more clearly in Fig. 2. As may be seen from Fig. 8, the shape ofthe aperturein pan II which receives sleeve [Giselliptical and the co-operating action of the elliptical aperture, the arcuate flange 20 and the spring band 25 is to hold the sleeve 19 securely in place without necessity for an elongated bearing. or other supporting means on the under side of pan ll.

Operation In the operation shown more clearly in Figs. 1 to 3,'inclusive, the parts may be assembled as follows: Initially, the fingers 24 are left in a straight position and in alignment with the body of sleeve l9, and the electric wires and post [3 are extended through the sleeve I9 and preferably with the post extending beyond the lower end of the sleeve. The sleeve I9 is equipped with the retainer ring 23 and with the spring 22 mounted thereon. The sleeve [9 is pressed downwardly to the reflector pan II, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the sleeve is thus securely assembled upon the reflector pan. The flanges 20 bear against the inner surface of the reflector pan over a wide area and thus provide a stabilized support for the sleeve upon the reflector pan. The post I3 is next drawn upwardly to the positionshown in Fig. 2 so as to compress slightly the spring 22 against the indentation or shoulder 2|. The fingers 24 are then pressed inwardly to the position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 so as to lock the post 13 against downward movement, while at the same time permitting rotation of the postuse, the heating element l4 may be swung to a tiltedpositionat one side of the reflector pan so as to facilitate cleaning of the pan. Since the postl3 extends generally in a tangential directron with respect to the coiled heater 14, the rotation of post I3 brings the heater coil M to a tilted position along one side of the reflector pan. The wire support ll may be lifted out and the interior ofithe pan readily cleaned. In the latter rotational movement, the tiltingof the heating element can be facilitated by drawing the heating element slightly outwardly against the force of spring 22. When the heater coil isreturned to its horizontal position, the spring 22 draws it tightly against the support IT. The spring 22 not only seats the heating element 14 in its horizontal position, but also tends to maintain the heating element M in its vertical or tilted position when the post [3 has been rotated, as above described,

Although the seating of sleeve I9 is secure,- itis not rigidly immovable in the lateral direction, since spring band 25 can yield-under pressure. As a result, if some small irregularity in manufacture or other distortion causes spider I! to fail to seat firmly on three points in the pan with the burner in its normal position, the burner can move slightly when loaded with a utensil without placing any great stress on the burner sheath itself, since theburner shifts enough to seat the spider firmly on pan I I andspring band 25 gives enough to let sleeve [9 move with post l3, thus avoiding stress on the burner element.

In the modification shown in Figs. 4 to 7, inclusive, the range top 25 isshown provided with an integral reflector pan 21, having a flanged opening 28.- The wire support 29 issimilar to support 11, except that the lower ends of the vertical post 30 are turned'outwardly andup- Wardly to provide guides 31, which look the sup-. port within the flanged opening 28 and tend to maintain the support 29 in the desired horizontal position illustrated in Fig. 5,

The refiect-orpanZ'l is provided with a depresi n 3 a ou n e ing 33; he de res nbem p d o ceiv he an es Moratw part sleeve 35.

The heatin element35 is similar to the heat-.

i e n 14 and is im e y pr ided t a. post portion 31, which is preferably rounded-in 1 ed and receiving ai nut 42,, asshown-n ore-clearly,

bring the spring catch 2 5,below. the lower edge of; in Fig. 6.

In the assembly of the parts shown in Figs. 4 to '7, inclusive, the sleeve parts 35 may be placed loosely in position, as illustrated in Fig. 4, and the electric wires and the post 31 extended through the sleeve parts. The ring or flange 38 of the post 3'! may be inserted within the slots or recessions 33 of the lower portions of parts of sleeve 35 while these parts are drawn slightly apart, and then the sleeve portions may be pressed together and locked by any suitable means. In the illustration given, we provide a clamping spring 44, which maybe pressed about the sleeve halves 35 when they are assembled so as to receive the flange or ring 33 of post 37. The bolts 4| may then be extended through the openings 40 of the flanges 34 and secured by nuts 42, as shown more clearly in Fig. 6.

The heating element 36 is similar to the heat ing element 14, which has already been described, and the post 31 thereof similarly extends in a tangential direction with respect to the circular or coiled element 36. Upon rotation of the post 31, the heating element 36 is swung to a tilted position lying across one edge portion of the reflector pan 27. While in this vertical position, the wire support 29 may be lifted out of the reflector pan and the pan may be readily cleaned. It will be noted that the recessing of the pan at 32 to receive the flanges 34 of the sleeve parts 35, brings the top surfaces of the flanges 34 into a line flush with the inner surface of reflector pan 27, so that the interior surface of the reflector pan can be thus cleaned effectively in a minimum of time. At the same time, the inner surfaces of the sleeve parts 35 snugly engage the circular post 31, so that the opening through the pan 2! is thus closed by the sleeve and the post.

Disassembly of the sleeve may be accomplished by removing the clamping spring 44 and, after removal of the bolts 4 I, spreading the lower ends of the sleeve parts 35 to free the flange 38 of the post 31 from engagement thereat. The post 31 may be then drawn upwardly to separate it from the sleeve.

In the structure described, it will be understood that the electric wires 43 and [5 may be extended, as shown in Fig. 9, through the open end of sleeve l9 or 35 and thence to make connection with contacts in a junction box mounted at the rear of the range. In any event the wires will be sufficiently loose to permit the turning movements above described, as well as the extension of the post [3 as described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive.

In the foregoing structures, the integral reflector pans are utilized to provide a sturdy support for the heating elements for movement to the tilted and horizontal positions illustrated, while at the same time the sleeves, for permitting such rotational or longitudinal movements of the posts, are readily assembled with the reflector pan and posts for the effective support described.

While, in the foregoing specification, we have set forth specific structures in considerable detail for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be understood that such details of structure may be varied widely by those skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit of our invention.

We claim:

1. In an electric range, a top equipped with an integral reflector pan depressed below the line of said top and having an opening extending through one side thereof, a support in said pan,

electric heating element carried by said support and having a peripheral edge portion thereof equipped with a rigid post extending through said opening in the side of the reflector pan, and a sleeve rotatably receiving and connected t said post, said sleeve having flanges engaging the inner surface of said reflector pan, and said reflector pan being recessed to receive said flanges whereby the inner surface of the flanges lies flush with the adjacent portions of the inner surface of the reflector pan.

2. In a structure of the character set forth, a reflector pan forming a depression in a range top and provided with an opening extending laterally therethrough, said pan having a de pression about said opening, a sleeve equipped with flanges received within said depression and having their upper surfaces flush with the adjacent portions of said reflector pan, a heating element, a removable support within said reflector pan for supporting said heating element, said heating element having a rigid post portion extending downwardly and at an inclination therefrom and through said sleeve, and cooperating flange and groove members carried by said sleeve and post and rotatably supporting said post upon said sleeve.

EDWIN A. RUTENBER. HARLEY TILLAPAUGH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,726,830 I-Iobson Sept. 3, 1929 1,998,308 Causse Apr. 16, 1935 2,028,604 Hermanni Jan. 21, 1936 2,295,378 Barnsteiner Sept. 8, 1942 2,368,051 Tuttle Jan. 23, 1945 2,506,554 Tuttle May 2, 1950 2,508,552 Tuttle May 23, 1950 

